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01-09-2005

The Effect of Sentinel Node Tumor Burden on Non–Sentinel Node Status and Recurrence Rates in Breast Cancer

Authors: Yang-Guo Fan, MD, Yah-Yuen Tan, FRCS, Chen-Teng Wu, MD, Patrick Treseler, MD, Ying Lu, PhD, Chung-Wei Chan, BS, Shelley Hwang, MD, Cheryl Ewing, MD, Laura Esserman, MD, Eugene Morita, MD, Stanley P. L. Leong, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 9/2005

Abstract

Background

Routine axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after selective sentinel lymphadenectomy (SSL) in the treatment of breast cancer remains controversial. We sought to determine the need for routine ALND by exploring the relationship between sentinel lymph node (SLN) and non-SLN (NSLN) status. We also report our experience with disease relapse in the era of SSL and attempt to correlate this with SLN tumor burden.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 390 patients with invasive breast cancer treated at a single institution who underwent successful SSL from November 1997 to November 2002.

Results

Of the 390 patients, 115 received both SSL and ALND. The percentage of additional positive NSLNs in the SLN-positive group (34.2%) was significantly higher than in the SLN-negative group (5.1%; P = .0004). The SLN macrometastasis group had a significantly higher rate of positive NSLNs (39.7%) compared with the SLN-negative group (5.1%; P = .0001). Sixteen patients developed recurrences during follow-up, including 6.1% of SLN-positive and 3.3% of SLN-negative patients. Among the SLN macrometastasis group, 8.7% had recurrence, compared with 2.2% of SLN micrometastases over a median follow-up period of 31.1 months. One regional failure developed out of 38 SLN-positive patients who did not undergo ALND.

Conclusions

ALND is recommended for patients with SLN macrometastasis because of a significantly higher incidence of positive NSLNs. Higher recurrence rates are also seen in these patients. However, the role of routine ALND in patients with a low SLN tumor burden remains to be further determined by prospective randomized trials.

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Title: The Effect of Sentinel Node Tumor Burden on Non–Sentinel Node Status and Recurrence Rates in Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang-Guo Fan, MD
Yah-Yuen Tan, FRCS
Chen-Teng Wu, MD
Patrick Treseler, MD
Ying Lu, PhD
Chung-Wei Chan, BS
Shelley Hwang, MD
Cheryl Ewing, MD
Laura Esserman, MD
Eugene Morita, MD
Stanley P. L. Leong, MD
Publication date: 01-09-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 9/2005
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2005.08.020

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The Effect of Sentinel Node Tumor Burden on Non–Sentinel Node Status and Recurrence Rates in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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